I have a desktop computer that is a HP 540J that has windows XP pro. My problem is that it is stuck in a start up loop. I get the screen that asks to start in safe mode and the other options. I have tried all the options on that page and what happens is this: Once I choos an option, I get the XP logo and the status bar and then bam, I am brought right back to the blue boot screen that says esc, F1 help, F10 system setup. No matter what I click, I get stuck in this loop. Can someone help?

A repair installation should resolve this

Repair Installation
A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied.

Perform a Repair Installation (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx)

Where and how do I get the repair installation CD?

You just need a XP pro disk and in the steps in the link above will give you step by step - but you do need an XP installation disk (same version as you have, Pro)

If you do not have one handy, see if you would be able to borrow one from someone if possible.

If I use an XP cd, will I loose all my files that are on the hard drive?

Try taking the drive out and hooking it up to another machine as a storage drive and doing a disk clean up defragment and the a disk check

No, not if you do the repair installation

As mentioned above,
A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied

If you do have the ogl cd do try seahwks idea if not try mine or borrow somebodies

Do NOT do a repair install first, use the recovery console to try to have Windows repair itself BEFORE doing a repair install because a repair install kills all user specific settings.

Here's how to use the recovery console: Using the Recovery Console - Helljack6.com (http://www.helljack6.com/console.html)

Hi,
You need to repair the windows so, please find out the operating system recovery disk and insert in the CD ROM then, select the repair option.
More details and further steps see the article
Repair XP (http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm)

Not here to debate,
It will leave your applications and settings intact,

Thanks everyone... got the system back up just now

Try starting up in safe mode. If you have any new software or hardware installed on it uninstalls it, if it doesn’t work try and bring the system back to a previous state and if all fails you should try a repair install, you could just follow these instructions on this site for a windows repair install. How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm)